"Stay where you are! Don''t move!" Michael kept a cautious eye on Shanley, then nced at the man beside him. “Robert, you and your team go in."


    Whatever the Sigma Network''s leader was nning, he was in their hands now. It was up to them whether he lived or died.


    "Yes, sir.” Robert nodded and, along with his men, advanced cautiously with their guns raised.


    “Boss.....” Felton and Flint tensed up as the men entered.


    "Let them," Shanley said softly, his lips barely moving. "We''ll be seeing Juniper soon."


    Felton and Flint exchanged a look, then silently dropped their guns and kicked them away.


    Seeing this, Robert and his team quickened their pace and rushed toward Shanley. "Don''t move!" one of the men ordered, pressing his gun to the back of Shanley''s head. He thenmanded a subordinate, “Cuff him.”


    "Yes, sir."


    Two men immediately took out a pair of specially made handcuffs and approached Shanley cautiously.


    They were well aware of the Sigma Network leader''s capabilities; even Specter had nearly fallen victim to him. But to their astonishment, just as they hesitated, the feared leader of the Sigma Network held out his hands voluntarily.


    "If you cuff me, I get to go to your base, right?"


    "Huh?"


    The two men were so shocked they instinctively looked to Robert for direction.


    Robert found it just as bizarre, but he quickly cuffed Shanley''s hands.


    Well, what do you know. He really wasn''t resisting.


    "Thud!"


    For good measure, Robert shoved Shanley hard against the wall. His tall frame mmed into the solid surface with a sickening sound.


    "You" Felton and Flint''s faces darkened, and they started to move forward, only to be stopped by the guns aimed at them. That, and a warning nce from their boss, made the two of them swallow their anger.


    Fine. Once the boss earned Ms. Payne''s forgiveness, he would be their boss''s future husband. Then we''ll see how arrogant they can be!


    “He''s clean,” a subordinate reported respectfully after searching him.


    "Take him to the base." Michael sized up the man before him. The leader of the Sigma Network surrendering without a fight? This was a puzzle only Specter could solve. .


    xet


    "Wait," Shanley said, his voice low and hoarse as he frowned. "Bring the backpack, It''s just snacks ou can check if you don''t believe me


    Robert checked and found that it was, indeed, just snacks.


    The leader of the Sigma Network likes snacks, too? Like true nemeses, even their hobbies are the same.


    In the car, Shanley sat in the middle of the back seat, nked by Michael and


    Robert, their guns never leaving his head.


    "How much longer?" Shanley asked, his hands tightly cuffed and his eyes blindfolded.


    No one answered him.


    "Is Specter at the main base?” Shanley asked again. "Did she get back yesterday?" Again, only silence.


    "How''s her mood?" Shanley pressed his lips together, his question careful and hesitant. "Has she been eating properly?"


    "Gag him!" Michael couldn''t stand it anymore and promptly pped a piece of tape over Shanley''s mouth.


    What was wrong with this guy? Worried about whether Specter was happy? Whether she''d eaten? They were mortal enemies, for crying out loud!


    Wait. Michael paused for a second, a sudden realization dawning on him.


    It couldn''t be-could it? Had Specter revealed her true face while rescuing Lue, and the leader of the Sigma Network had taken a liking to her?! That was more terrifying than a ghost story!


    At the Subterra Vanguard main base, Shanley was thrown into a room without even


    getting a glimpse of Specter.


    "When can I see your boss?"


    "What''s your purpose in seeing Specter?" Michael demanded, staring coldly at Shanley.